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Celebrate Women's History Month

October is Women’s History Month in Canada! It’s a time for Canadians to celebrate the achievements of women and girls throughout our history and recognize the trailblazing women who have shaped our country and way of life.

Make your mark

When women and girls bring their passion, energy and talents to everything they do, there is no stopping them!

Looking back over the past 150 years since Confederation, countless women have done exactly that: harnessed their power, found their voice, and claimed their place in our country’s proud history.

Because of their efforts and those of the many women who have followed in their footsteps, we’ve made amazing strides toward gender equality and women’s empowerment over the past 150 years. But there is still more work to do: barriers still exist, and sexism and discrimination continue to impact and shape the lives of too many Canadians.

Change is possible, but we can’t do it alone.

As we look to the future, we must lift each other up so that everyone has the chance to claim their place and reach their full potential. Together, we can create a Canada where every woman and girl has the chance to let her unique power shine through and make her mark.

#ClaimYourPlace

Today, women, girls, men, and boys continue the quest for equality and inclusion in all areas of Canadian life.

Honour their actions and celebrate the courageous women and girls who inspire you to #ClaimYourPlace.

Join the conversation on social media by using the hashtag #ClaimYourPlace and share photos, videos and words of inspiration. Share your stories of finding your voice on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Tell the world how you #ClaimYourPlace!

Poster

The background of the poster is multi-coloured and inspired by graffiti art. A silhouette of a woman’s head is pictured in white and creates a white space that appears to have been painted on the background. Within this space, in the centre of the poster, the following text appears in blue: “Make Your Mark.” Under this, the hashtag “#ClaimYourPlace” appears in red text. Below this, in smaller letters, the text “Women’s History Month” appears in orange. At the bottom, in the left-hand corner, the Status of Women Canada departmental identifier appears in white, and the Canada word mark appears in white at the bottom-right corner of the page.

#ClaimYourPlace this Women's History Month!

#ClaimYourPlace this Women's History Month!

October is Women's history month — An opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women and girls who have profoundly shaped our country and have claimed their place in history books.

It is also the time to highlight not only those who have paved the way for us, but also the women and girls who continue to carry the torch every day.

But as trailblazer Nellie McClung said, "Yesterday's successes will not do for today: women must claim the place they have won."

So October is also a time to look to the future.

What will history tell of women’s and girls’ achievements in 50 years from now? How about in 150 years?

Our government is committed to doing our part because we know we all play a part.

We all know a woman or girl who has big dreams and has claimed their place to achieve them. But for every story we know about, there are many more that go unheard.

This October, I invite you to share the story of a woman or girl who inspires you and motivates you to claim your place and leave your mark.

Celebrate her and recognize her impact by using the hashtag #ClaimYourPlace on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook and let's tell her story together.

I wish all Canadians an excellent Women’s History Month. Happy Women’s History Month, Canada.

Share these infobites and start a conversation.

Accessible version of the image

The photo features a military deployment setting in an arid climate, with a stone building in the background. Two women soldiers from the Canadian Army are tending to a young Afghan girl suffering from a burn, who is being carried by one of the soldiers. The military members are dressed in light coloured camouflage uniforms; one soldier is wearing a helmet, one is wearing a tan head covering, and the young girl is wearing a green head covering. The silhouette of a woman’s head appears in the right-hand corner, as though it has been painted onto the background with white paint. Within the white space, the words “Make Your Mark” appear in blue, followed by “#ClaimYourPlace” underneath in red text, and “Women’s History Month” in small orange text beneath it. The caption is included near the bottom of the image, and features the following text in purple: “Proud to be a woman, even prouder to serve my country.” Beneath the text, and running the length of the photo, is a purple bar with the Status of Women Canada departmental identifier in the bottom left-hand corner in white text. The Canada wordmark appears in white text in the right-hand corner.

Accessible version of the image

The photo features a laboratory setting with light streaming through a large window. An older woman is seated in the foreground wearing a white lab coat and safety goggles. She is intently focussed on the six test tubes in front of her, which are filled with colourful liquids. The silhouette of a woman’s head appears in the right-hand corner, as though it has been painted onto the background with white paint. Within the white space, the words “Make Your Mark” appear in blue, followed by “#ClaimYourPlace” underneath in red text, and “Women’s History Month” in small orange text beneath it. The caption is included near the bottom of the image, and features the following text in purple: “In the lab is where I shine.” Beneath the text, and running the length of the photo, is a purple bar with the Status of Women Canada departmental identifier in the bottom left-hand corner in white text. The Canada wordmark appears in white text in the right-hand corner.

Accessible version of the image

The photo features a business setting in a high-rise building, with the surrounding buildings visible from the office windows. A woman is standing in the foreground surrounded by a group of her coworkers, who are standing behind her. She is confidently making a point by indicating to a spot on the wall (on which words and post-it notes can be made out). The silhouette of a woman’s head appears in the right-hand corner, as though it has been painted onto the background with white paint. Within the white space, the words “Make Your Mark” appear in blue, followed by “#ClaimYourPlace” underneath in red text, and “Women’s History Month” in small orange text beneath it. The caption is included near the bottom of the image, and features the following text in purple: “I speak – and the world listens.” Beneath the text, and running the length of the photo, is a purple bar with the Status of Women Canada departmental identifier in the bottom left-hand corner in white text. The Canada wordmark appears in white text in the right-hand corner.

Accessible version of the image

The photo features a building site with exposed construction beams. A woman stands in foreground with her arms crossed, staring confidently at a point in the distance to the right. She is dressed in construction gear, with an orange shirt, yellow safety vest, white hard hat and safety goggles. The silhouette of a woman’s head appears in the right-hand corner, as though it has been painted onto the background with white paint. Within the white space, the words “Make Your Mark” appear in blue, followed by “#ClaimYourPlace” underneath in red text, and “Women’s History Month” in small orange text beneath it. The caption is included near the bottom of the image, and features the following text in purple: “Strong women = strong buildings”. Beneath the text, and running the length of the photo, is a purple bar with the Status of Women Canada departmental identifier in the bottom left-hand corner in white text. The Canada wordmark appears in white text in the right-hand corner.

Accessible version of the image

The photo features an office with light streaming in through the window. In the foreground, a woman is seated at her desk with her laptop open. She is using her smartphone and is dressed for a business setting. The silhouette of a woman’s head appears in the right-hand corner, as though it has been painted onto the background with white paint. Within the white space, the words “Make Your Mark” appear in blue, followed by “#ClaimYourPlace” underneath in red text, and “Women’s History Month” in small orange text beneath it. The caption is included near the bottom of the image, and features the following text in purple: “The corner office is within your reach.” Beneath the text, and running the length of the photo, is a purple bar with the Status of Women Canada departmental identifier in the bottom left-hand corner in white text. The Canada wordmark appears in white text in the right-hand corner.

Accessible version of the image

The photo features a helicopter on a runway, with the clear blue horizon visible in the distance. A woman is in the foreground, seated in the pilot’s seat and wearing a headset, looking out the window to a point in the distance on the left. The silhouette of a woman’s head appears in the right-hand corner, as though it has been painted onto the background with white paint. Within the white space, the words “Make Your Mark” appear in blue, followed by “#ClaimYourPlace” underneath in red text, and “Women’s History Month” in small orange text beneath it. The caption is included near the bottom of the image, and features the following text in purple: “Follow your dreams – wherever they take you.” Beneath the text, and running the length of the photo, is a purple bar with the Status of Women Canada departmental identifier in the bottom left-hand corner in white text. The Canada wordmark appears in white text in the right-hand corner.